According to a public notice appearing in local Botswana media, Debswana – the joint venture company of De Beers and the Government of Botswana – has applied for permission for Cut 9, the expansion project at its Jwaneng mine.

Considered to be the richest diamond mine by value in the world, Jwaneng has already implemented its Cut 8 project with an investment of US$ 3 billion which is estimated to have extended its life up to 2024;  opening up an ore body containing an additional 100 million carats of diamonds in the process. Gem bearing ore was reached in 2016, seven years after work on Cut 8 commenced.

Cut 9, which plans to take the mining activities to the depth of 830 meters (2,700 feet), will give the mine 11 additional years, taking its life to 2035, and in the process yield an additional 50 million carats, the Company estimates.

Jwaneng which was discovered in 1972 and became fully operational in 1982, is currently  at at a depth of 650 meters.

Media reports cite Debswana spokeswoman Matshidiso Kamona as saying that the costs of the expansion will be funded through internal company resources; however, they say that no actual budgets or schedules have been put forward.

While reports state that Debswana has “received provisional approval” from the Department of Environmental Affairs, final approval is “pending public review of its environmental-management plan”.

The final feasibility study report is expected by the end of the year, upon which budget estimates for the project will be based, it is reported.

Pic Cap: Jwaneng Mine

Pic Courtesy: Debswana